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Short answer Pregnancy and deutetrabenazine: what to know Common questions Related questions Sources**Usually not: deutetrabenazine is generally avoided in pregnancy because there are no adequate human studies, and the decision belongs to you and your neurologist together.**
What changes the answer is why you take it. If it is for tardive dyskinesia, the movements themselves do not harm a fetus, so many people pause the drug or switch approaches while pregnant. If it is for chorea in Huntington disease, uncontrolled movements can cause falls, weight loss, and trouble swallowing, so the balance may favor continuing at the lowest dose that works. The most useful habit is to raise pregnancy plans at a routine visit rather than after a positive test, since changes are easier to make before conception.
Pregnancy and deutetrabenazine: what to know
Common questions
Can you take Deutetrabenazine while pregnant?
Deutetrabenazine (Austedo) has no adequate human pregnancy studies, and animal data showed effects on offspring development, so the label advises use only when the benefit justifies the possible risk. For tardive dyskinesia, pausing is often reasonable, because untreated movements are not dangerous to a fetus. For Huntington chorea the balance is different, since falls, weight loss, and swallowing problems carry real risk. Do not stop on your own; chorea can return within about a day of the last dose. If you are pregnant or planning to be, ask your neurologist and obstetric clinician to make the plan together.
